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Donald Trump’s World Cup chief has thrown his support behind Argentina in the row over the football team’s Falkland Islands banner.
The Argentinians sparked a feud with political figures in England by displaying a sign which read ‘The Malvinas are Argentine,’ using the country’s term for the South Atlantic islands, after their win in the semi-final on Wednesday.
The banner was paraded after Lionel Messi and Co’s 2-1 victory over the Three Lions in Atlanta, with Premier League stars Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez two of those seen celebrating.
It prompted a fierce response in London as Business Secretary Peter Kyle demanded a FIFA investigation into the matter before Sir Keir Starmer publicly backed those calls.
Now, however, the US President’s head of the White House FIFA task force, Andrew Giuliani, has taken the side of Argentina.
He told members of the press today in Washington: ‘We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America.
Donald Trump’s World Cup chief Andrew Giuliani has thrown his support behind Argentina in the row over the Falkland Islands
Argentina held a banner reading ‘The Malvinas are Argentine,’ using the country’s term for the South Atlantic islands, after they beat England in the World Cup semi-final
‘And in terms of the ability, the opportunity to be able to make statements, (Argentina) has the ability to do that in the United States of America.’
FIFA’s rules forbid the use of any political messaging at the World Cup but the body has previously turned a blind eye to acts which could be deemed to have breached its rulebook. Argentina have already been spotted singing – and posting to social media – a song about the 1982 conflict.
Whether any FIFA probe would conclude – and any potential punishment be handed out – before Sunday’s final against Spain remains to be seen. Daily Mail Sport has asked FIFA for clarity.
A FIFA spokesman said: ‘As is standard procedure, FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee is currently assessing the match reports and considering the relevant circumstances before deciding on potential further steps based on the FIFA Disciplinary Code.’
A spokesman for Starmer said: ‘The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our position is unchanged. Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.
‘More broadly, potential action is a matter for Fifa, but it’s been a fantastic World Cup and we’ve said throughout that politics should stay out of football.’
When asked who Starmer would be supporting, the spokesman added: ‘The PM wishes both teams well for the final, especially Spain.’
Kyle branded the banner ‘an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of the football’ when he spoke to the BBC.
Argentinian president Javier Milei later waded into the row, declaring that his government was getting ‘closer every day’ to recovering sovereignty over the islands.
He wrote on X: ‘While some are busy throwing tantrums befitting a terminally mononeuronal teenager, we, through the diplomatic route, are getting closer every day to the recovery of the Malvinas Islands, Georgias del Sur and the South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime space.’
A total of 907 people died after Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 and were subsequently removed by British forces.
President Donald Trump will be in attendance on Sunday as Spain take on Argentina at the MetLife Stadium
It comes as it was revealed that Trump will indeed be attending Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey between Argentina and Spain.
The President has not been present for any of the previous 102 games this summer, though it had long been expected that he would attend the final.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted last month that Trump will present the trophy to the winner, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to confirm or deny whether that rumour was true.
It has become a tradition for heads of state to involve themselves in the World Cup trophy presentation. At the last Finals, the Emir of Qatar joined Infantino on stage after Argentina triumphed, while four years earlier Vladimir Putin placed gold medals on the shoulders of France’s players after they beat Croatia.
And, only last year, Trump left Chelsea stars Cole Palmer and Reece James bemused by involving himself in their Club World Cup celebrations.
The political figure stood right by James’s side as he lifted the trophy, sparking confusion amongst the Blues squad.
‘Before, they told me he was going to present the trophy, and then exit the stage,’ James said afterwards. ‘I thought he was going to exit the stage, but I think he wanted to stay.’
Trump travelled from Washington to New York earlier today, and will attend a FIFA reception at his Trump Tower tonight.
The President’s relationship with Infantino has been one of the most controversial talking points of this summer’s World Cup.
After USA striker Folarin Balogun picked up a red card which meant he would miss his country’s Round of 16 tie with Belgium, Trump asked FIFA for a ‘review’.
Days later it was announced that the forward’s suspension had been over-turned, though the US went on to lose 4-1 to Belgium the following day.
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